System for and method of processing data, and entertainment system

ABSTRACT

A portable computer is removably connected to a video game machine which processes data, and a digital camera is connected to the video game machine. Image data supplied from the portable computer or the digital camera to the video game machine is processed or combined by the video game machine, and the processed or combined image data is outputted to the portable computer or the digital camera. The portable computer and the digital camera, which are difficult to connect directly to each other, are simultaneously connected to the video game machine for sending and receiving image data between the portable computer and the digital camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a system for and a method ofprocessing data and an entertainment system for sending data to andreceiving data from an external device, and more particularly to asystem for and a method of processing data and an entertainment systemwhich are preferably applicable to a system comprising a video gamemachine and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Home consoles such as personal computers can read image datacaptured by a digital camera and use the read image data when thedigital camera is connected to the home consoles. When a small computersuch as a personal digital assistant is connected to personal computers,the personal computers can send and receive various data such as imagedata to and from the small computer.

[0005] The home consoles include conventional video game machines suchas television game devices. The conventional video game machines, whichare in widespread use, read game data from a recording medium or anauxiliary storage unit, and run an application program on a video gamemachine processor based on the read game data to play a competitiongame, for example, in response to command signals entered from a commandunit known as a manual controller operated by the game player.

[0006] Many video game machines generally have an excellent image andsound data processing capability so that the users can experiencecomplex and realistic images and sounds. Specifically, the excellentimage and sound data processing capability of video game machines allowscomplex game characters to be displayed and realistic voice sounds to bereproduced for the video game, and can present finer and more compleximages and sounds than possible with existing computers.

[0007] Heretofore, for a conventional home console such as a personalcomputer to read image data captured by a digital camera, it has beencustomary to taken into account only the transfer of data between thehome console and the digital camera. There has not been established anysystem for performing simultaneous communications between a homeconsole, a digital camera, and a small computer such as a personaldigital assistant according to an application program recorded in arecording medium.

[0008] For transferring image data captured by a digital camera to asmall computer, it is necessary to convert the image data to a formatthat can be used by the small computer. When the small computer and thedigital camera are connected directly to each other, however, it hasbeen difficult to transfer the data efficiently from the digital camerato the small computer because of limited computational resources of thesmall computer.

[0009] Though the conventional video game machines have an excellentdata processing capability, as described above, the conventional videogame machines remain only a device for executing an application programto play a video game. There have not been established any system inwhich a small computer and a digital camera are simultaneously connectedto a video game machine for sending and receiving image data andprocessing image data, and any system which effectively utilizes thereal-time graphic computing and displaying functions of the video gamemachine.

[0010] Furthermore, any application program run by a small computer touse image data has not been provided by a recording medium that isloaded in a device to which both the small computer and a digital cameraare connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide asystem for and a method of processing data and an entertainment system,which allow a slave unit and a digital camera to be simultaneouslyconnected to a master unit for sending and receiving image data betweenthe slave unit and the digital camera which are difficult to connectdirectly to each other.

[0012] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by way ofillustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system according tothe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a video game machine hardware layerof a video game machine of the data processing system;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a PDA hardware layer of a portablecomputer of the data processing system;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a DC hardware layer of a digitalcamera connected to the data processing system;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a block diagrams of hardware layers and software layersof the data processing system and the digital camera;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of supplying image data from the digital camera tothe video game machine;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the digitalcamera in the process of supplying image data from the digital camera tothe video game machine;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of processing image data in the video game machineand supplying the processed image data to the portable computer;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the portablecomputer in the process of processing image data in the video gamemachine and supplying the processed image data to the portable computer;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of supplying a plurality of image data from thedigital camera to the video game machine;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of combining a plurality of image data in the videogame machine and supplying the combined image data to the portablecomputer;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the digitalcamera in the process of supplying a plurality of image data from thedigital camera to the video game machine;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the portablecomputer in the process of combining a plurality of image data in thevideo game machine and supplying the combined image data to the portablecomputer;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of a process ofprocessing and combining image data supplied from the digital camera tothe video game machine, variably in response to manually enteredcommands;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of supplying image data from the portable computerto the video game machine;

[0028]FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the portablecomputer in the process of supplying image data from the portablecomputer to the video game machine;

[0029]FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of processing image data in the video game machineand supplying the processed image data to the digital camera;

[0030]FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the digitalcamera in the process of processing image data in the video game machineand supplying the processed image data to the digital camera;

[0031]FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of supplying a plurality of image data from theportable computer to the video game machine;

[0032]FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of combining a plurality of image data in the videogame machine and supplying the combined image data to the digitalcamera;

[0033]FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the portablecomputer in the process of supplying a plurality of image data from theportable computer to the video game machine;

[0034]FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the digitalcamera in the process of combining a plurality of image data in thevideo game machine and supplying the combined image data to the digitalcamera;

[0035]FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of a process ofprocessing and combining image data supplied from the portable computerto the video game machine, variably in response to manually enteredcommands;

[0036]FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the video gamemachine in a process of supplying application software to be used by theportable computer from the video game machine and activating theportable computer;

[0037]FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the portablecomputer in the process of supplying application software to be used bythe portable computer from the video game machine and activating theportable computer;

[0038]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an entertainment system as aspecific example of the data processing system which comprises the videogame machine and the portable computer;

[0039]FIG. 27 is a plan view of the entertainment system;

[0040]FIG. 28 is a plan view of a portable electronic device as aspecific example of the portable computer;

[0041]FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of the portable electronicdevice shown in FIG. 28;

[0042]FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the portable electronic device shownin FIG. 28;

[0043]FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a video game apparatus as a specificexample of the video game machine;

[0044]FIG. 32 is a block diagram of the portable electronic device as aspecific example of the portable computer; and

[0045]FIG. 33 is a diagram showing control items controlled by a controlmeans in the portable electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a data processing system 1 according to thepresent invention comprises a video game machine 2 and a portablecomputer (PDA) 3 connected to the video game machine 2.

[0047] In the data processing system 1, the video game machine 2 servesas a master unit for processing data, and the portable computer 3 servesas a slave unit. The video game machine 2 is arranged as anentertainment system which executes program data recorded in a recordingmedium (not shown) such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or the like to perform avideo game or the like. The portable computer 3 is removably connectedto the video game machine 2 for sending data to and receiving data fromthe video game machine 2, and arranged as a personal digital assistant(PDA) having a wireless communication function. To the video gamemachine 2, there are connected a digital camera (DC) 4 as an imagingdevice capable of capturing images, and a video monitor 5 as a displayunit for displaying processed results from the video game machine 2.

[0048] The video game machine 2 as a video game machine hardware layer20 (see FIG. 2) which comprises a CPU 21 functioning as a control meansfor controlling the inputting and outputting of image data, a processingmeans for processing image data, a combining and processing means forcombining and processing image data, and a data reading means forreading data such as application program data recorded in a recordingmedium (not shown), a serial communication block 22 as first and secondconnecting means to which the digital camera 4 and the portable computer3 are connected, an input block 23 functioning as a command input meansfor controlling operation of the CPU 21 in response to manual inputcommands, a recording medium block 24, a main memory 25, a graphicprocessor 26, and a functional block 27. These components of the videogame machine hardware layer 20 are connected to a bus 28.

[0049] The serial communication block 22 has a function to performserial communications with an external device. The serial communicationblock 22 has terminals (not shown) electrically connectable to serialcommunication blocks 33, 42 (described later on) of the portablecomputer 3 and the digital camera 4, so that the video game machine 2can send image data, etc. to and receive image data, etc. from theportable computer 3 and the digital camera 4.

[0050] The input block 23 has a function as a manual command input unit.The input block 23 allows various information to be inputted to thevideo game machine 2 by the user, and also enables the video gamemachine 2 to process and combine image data in response to commands fromthe user.

[0051] A recording medium (not shown) is loaded in the recording mediumblock 24, which has a driving mechanism for driving the recordingmedium. In the video game machine 2, the CPU 21 controls the recordingmedium block 24 to read a communication and image processing application50 (see FIG. 5) recorded in the recording medium.

[0052] The main memory 25 is a memory means for storing various data.The main memory 25 stores application programs including thecommunication and image processing application 50 recorded in therecording medium (not shown), and image data supplied from the portablecomputer 3 or the digital camera 4 via the serial communication block22.

[0053] The graphic processor 26 serves as a unit for processing imagedata that are supplied thereto. The graphic processor 26 effects graphicprocessing on images to be displayed on a display unit. Specifically,the graphic processor 26 performs polygon graphic processing.

[0054] The functional block 27 is arranged to perform other functionsthan the above blocks, and may comprise, for example, a power supplyblock.

[0055] The CPU 21 has a function to control the above blocks. Forexample, the CPU 21 controls the inputting and outputting of datasupplied to the video game machine 2 via the serial communication block22 or data outputted from the video game machine 2 via the serialcommunication block 22. The CPU 21 also has a function to process andcombine data. The CPU 21 also transfers application programs recorded inthe recording medium (not shown) to the portable computer 3 and holdsthe transferred application programs in the portable computer 3.

[0056] The video game machine 2 thus constructed is capable ofperforming a video game based on a program recorded in a recordingmedium such as a CD-ROM or the like. The video game machine 2 isarranged such that a nonvolatile memory card system (not shown) canremovably be connected thereto.

[0057] The portable computer 3 has a PDA hardware layer 30 (see FIG. 3)which comprises a display block 32 having a function as a display meansfor displaying supplied image data, a CPU 31, a serial communicationblock 33, a nonvolatile memory 34, a working memory 35, a wirelesscommunication block 36, an input block 37, and a functional block 38.These components of the PDA hardware layer 30 are connected to a bus 39.

[0058] The display block 32 is arranged to function as a display unitfor displaying various items of information. The display block 32displays image data and various character information on a liquidcrystal panel (not shown), for example.

[0059] The serial communication block 33 has a function to effect serialcommunications with an external device. The serial communication block33 is electrically connectable to the serial communication block 22 ofthe video game machine 2, for example, for data communications with thevideo game machine 2. The portable computer 3 is supplied with imagedata from the video game machine 2 via the serial communication block33, and also with application programs recorded in the recording medium(not shown) loaded in the video game machine 2.

[0060] The nonvolatile memory 34 serves as a memory means for storingvarious data. The nonvolatile memory 34 stores image data andapplication programs supplied from the video game machine 2 via theserial communication block 33.

[0061] The working memory 35 serves as a memory means for use as aworking area for various data. As with the nonvolatile memory 34, theworking memory 35 stores image data and application programs suppliedfrom the video game machine 2.

[0062] The radio communication block 36 has a function to communicatewith an external device by way of infrared rays according to IrDAstandards or microwaves.

[0063] The input block 37 is arranged to function as a manual commandinput unit. For example, the input block 37 allows the user to entervarious items of information.

[0064] The functional block 38 is arranged to perform other functionsthan the above blocks, and may comprise, for example, a power supplyblock.

[0065] The CPU 31 has a function to control the above blocks. Forexample, the CPU 31 controls the blocks according to various programs ofthe above software layer. The CPU 31 also functions as executing meansfor executing program data.

[0066] The portable computer 3 can removably be connected to the videogame machine 2 for sending data to and receiving data from the videogame machine 2. Furthermore, the portable computer 3 is compatible withthe nonvolatile memory card system (not shown) that can also removablybe connected to the video game machine 2.

[0067] The digital camera 4 connected to the video game machine 2 has aDC hardware layer 40 (see FIG. 4) which comprises a CPU 41, a serialcommunication block 42, an image input block 43, an image data storageblock 44, and a working memory 45. These components of the DC hardwarelayer 40 are connected to a bus 46.

[0068] The serial communication block 42 has a function to effect serialcommunications with an external device. The serial communication block42 is electrically connectable to the serial communication block 22 ofthe video game machine 2 for sending data to and receiving data from thevideo game machine 2. The digital camera 4 is supplied with image datafrom the video game machine 2 via the serial communication block 42, andsupplies image data to the video game machine 2 via the serialcommunication block 42.

[0069] The image input block 43 is arranged to have a function as animage capturing unit, and has an optical system including lenses, ashutter, etc. The data of an image captured by the image input block 43is recorded as multicolor, high-resolution image data in the image datastorage block 44.

[0070] The image data storage block 44 is arranged as a component forrecording captured images. The image data storage block 44 has abuilt-in nonvolatile memory or comprises a removable recording medium.The image data storage block 44 stores the data of captured images andimage data supplied from the video game machine 2 via the serialcommunication block 42.

[0071] The working memory 45 serves as a memory means for use as aworking area for various data. As with the image data storage block 44,the working memory 45 stores captured image data and image data suppliedfrom the video game machine 2.

[0072] The CPU 41 has a function to control the above blocks. Forexample, the CPU 41 controls the blocks according to various programs ofthe above software layer.

[0073] The data processing system 1 with the portable computer 3connected to the video game machine 2, and the digital camera 4connected to the video game machine 2 have a logical relationship asshown in FIG. 5. The video game machine 2 has the video game machinehardware layer 20 as its hardware layer, and also has a software layercomprising a communication and image processing application 50 forperforming communications with the portable computer 3 and the digitalcamera 4 and processing image data, and serial communication drivers 60,70 for performing serial communications with the portable computer 3 andthe digital camera 4, these applications and communication drivers beingread from the recording medium (not shown) loaded in the recordingmedium block 24 by the CPU 21. The serial communication block 22 sendsand receives data according to the serial communication drivers 60, 70.The portable computer 3 has the PDA hardware layer 30 as its hardwarelayer, and also has a software layer comprising a communicationapplication 80 for performing communications with the video game machine2, a serial communication driver 90, and a wireless communication driver100. The serial communication block 33 and the wireless communicationblock 36 send and receive data according to the serial communicationdriver 90 and the wireless communication driver 100.

[0074] The digital camera 4 which sends data to and receives data fromthe data processing system 1 has the DC hardware layer 40 as itshardware layer, and also has a software layer comprising a communicationapplication 110 for performing communications with the video gamemachine 2, and a serial communication driver 120. The serialcommunication block 42 sends and receives data according to the serialcommunication driver 120.

[0075] In the data processing system 1 of the above structure, the videogame machine 2 receives image data, i.e., multi-color, high-resolutionimage data, from the digital camera 4 according to a processing sequenceshown in FIG. 6.

[0076] The CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70 for performing serial communications with the portable computer 3and the digital camera 4, which are recorded in the recording medium(not shown), from the recording medium block 24, in step S1 shown inFIG. 6.

[0077] Then, the CPU 21 stores the communication and image processingapplication 50 and the serial communication drivers 60, 70 in the mainmemory 25 in step S2.

[0078] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 42 of the digital camera 4 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S3. Thereafter, the CPU 21 receives multicolor, high-resolutionimage data from the digital camera 4 via the established communicationlink, and stores the received image data in the main memory in step S4.

[0079] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from thedigital camera 4, the CPU 21 decides whether all the image data has beenreceived from the digital camera 4 or not in step S5. If the CPU 21confirms that all the image data has been received, then the video gamemachine 2 finishes the process of receiving the image data. If the CPU21 confirms that all the image data has not been received, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S4 again.

[0080] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the digital camera 4 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S11 shown in FIG. 7.

[0081] If the digital camera 4 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS11, then the CPU 41 of the digital camera 4 starts communications withthe serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 via theserial communication block 42 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S12.

[0082] Then, the CPU 41 sends multicolor, high-resolution image datastored in the image data storage block 44 to the video game machine 2via the established communication link in step S13.

[0083] The processing in steps S12, S13 performed by the digital camera4 corresponds to the processing in steps S3, S4 performed by the videogame machine 2.

[0084] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU41 decides whether all the image data has been sent to the video gamemachine 2 or not in step S14. If the CPU 41 confirms that all the imagedata has been sent to the video game machine 2, then the digital camera4 finishes the process of sending the image data. If the CPU 41 confirmsthat all the image data has not been sent to the video game machine 2,then the digital camera 4 executes the processing from step S13 again.

[0085] The above processing sequences of the video game machine 2 andthe digital camera 4 allow the digital camera 4 to supply themulticolor, high-resolution image data to the video game machine 2.

[0086] A process, performed by the video game machine 2, of processingthe multicolor, high-resolution image data received from the digitalcamera 4 and sending the processed image data to the portable computer 3will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0087] The video game machine 2 processes the multicolor,high-resolution image data supplied from the digital camera 4 in step S6shown in FIG. 8. The multicolor, high-resolution image data is processedby the communication and image processing application 50 for resolutionconversion, color reduction, trimming, scaling-up, scaling-down, axisreversal, color reversal, etc., as described later on, in order togenerate fewer-color, low-resolution image data that can be used by theportable computer 3.

[0088] Then, the CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 stores the imagedata processed in step S6 in the main memory 25 in step S7.

[0089] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 33 of the portable computer 3 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S8.

[0090] Then, the CPU 21 sends the processed data to the portablecomputer 3 via the established communication link in step S9.

[0091] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU21 decides whether all the image data has been sent or not in step S10.If the CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 finishes the process of sending the image data. Ifthe CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has not been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S9 again.

[0092] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the portable computer 3 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S21 shown in FIG. 9.

[0093] If the portable computer 3 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS21, then the CPU 31 of the portable computer 3 starts communicationswith the serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 viathe serial communication block 33 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S22.

[0094] Then, the CPU 31 stores the image data received from the videogame machine 2 in the nonvolatile memory 34 via the establishedcommunication link in step S23.

[0095] The processing in steps S22, S23 performed by the portablecomputer 3 corresponds to the processing in steps S8, S9 performed bythe video game machine 2.

[0096] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from thevideo game machine 2, the CPU 31 decides whether all the image data hasbeen received or not in step S24. If the CPU 31 confirms that all theimage data has been received, then the portable computer 3 finishes theprocess of receiving the image data. If the CPU 31 confirms that all theimage data has not been received, then the portable computer 3 executesthe processing from step S23 again.

[0097] The above processing sequences allow the video game machine 2 toprocess the image data from the digital camera 4 into fewer-color,low-resolution image data that can be used by the portable computer 3,and supply the fewer-color, low-resolution image data to the portablecomputer 3. Therefore, the data processing system 1 can use the digitalcamera 4 as an image input device and the portable computer 3 as animage output device with respect to the video game machine 2. Since theresolution, etc. of the supplied image data has been processed so as tobe displayable on the display block 32, the portable computer 3 candisplay the supplied image data, and can execute application programswhich use the supplied image data.

[0098] A process of supplying a plurality of image data from the digitalcamera 4 to the video game machine 2, combining the image data forsuperposition or simultaneous display on one screen with the video gamemachine 2, and supplying the combined image data to the portablecomputer 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 through13.

[0099] The CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70 for performing serial communications with the portable computer 3and the digital camera 4, which are recorded in the recording medium(not shown), from the recording medium block 24, in step S31 shown inFIG. 10.

[0100] Then, the CPU 21 stores the communication and image processingapplication 50 and the serial communication drivers 60, 70 in the mainmemory 25 in step S32.

[0101] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 42 of the digital camera 4 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S33. Thereafter, the CPU 21 receives a plurality of multicolor,high-resolution image data from the digital camera 4 via the establishedcommunication link, and stores the received image data in the mainmemory 25 in step S34.

[0102] To confirm the end of the reception of the plural image data fromthe digital camera 4, the CPU 21 decides whether all the plural imagedata have been received from the digital camera 4 or not in step S35. Ifthe CPU 21 confirms that all the plural image data have been received,then the video game machine 2 finishes the process of receiving theimage data, and control goes to step S36 shown in FIG. 11. If the CPU 21confirms that all the plural image data have not been received, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S34 again.

[0103] The video game machine 2 combines the plurality of multicolor,high-resolution image data supplied from the digital camera 4 in stepS36 shown in FIG. 11. In step S36, the image data are combined forsuperposition or simultaneous display on one screen as described above.The image data processing described above may also be carried out instep S36.

[0104] Then, the CPU 21 stores the image data combined in step S6 in themain memory 25 in step S37.

[0105] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 33 of the portable computer 3 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S38.

[0106] Thereafter, the CPU 21 transmits the combined image data to theportable computer 3 via the established communication link in step S39.

[0107] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU21 decides whether all the image data has been sent or not in step S40.If the CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 finishes the process of sending the image data. Ifthe CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has not been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S39 again.

[0108] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the digital camera 4 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S41 shown in FIG. 12.

[0109] If the digital camera 4 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS41, then the CPU 41 of the digital camera 4 starts communications withthe serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 via theserial communication block 42 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S42.

[0110] Then, the CPU 41 sends a plurality of multicolor, high-resolutionimage data stored in the image data storage block 44 to the video gamemachine 2 via the established communication link in step S43.

[0111] The processing in steps S42, S43 performed by the digital camera4 corresponds to the processing in steps S33, S34 performed by the videogame machine 2.

[0112] To confirm the end of the transmission of the plural image data,the CPU 41 decides whether all the plural image data have been sent tothe video game machine 2 or not in step S44. If the CPU 41 confirms thatall the plural image data have been sent to the video game machine 2,then the digital camera 4 finishes the process of sending the pluralimage data. If the CPU 41 confirms that all the plural image data havenot been sent to the video game machine 2, then the digital camera 4executes the processing from step S43 again.

[0113] The portable computer 3 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S51 shown in FIG. 13.

[0114] If the portable computer 3 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS51, then the CPU 31 of the portable computer 3 starts communicationswith the serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 viathe serial communication block 33 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S52.

[0115] Then, the CPU 31 stores the image data received from the videogame machine 2 in the nonvolatile memory 34 via the establishedcommunication link in step S53.

[0116] The processing in steps S52, S53 performed by the portablecomputer 3 corresponds to the processing in steps S38, S39 performed bythe video game machine 2.

[0117] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from thevideo game machine 2, the CPU 31 decides whether all the image data hasbeen received or not in step S54. If the CPU 31 confirms that all theimage data has been received, then the portable computer 3 finishes theprocess of receiving the image data. If the CPU 31 confirms that all theimage data has not been received, then the portable computer 3 executesthe processing from step S53 again.

[0118] The above processing sequences allow the video game machine 2 toprocess the image data supplied from the digital camera 4 to the videogame machine 2, and supply the processed image data to the portablecomputer 3. Therefore, when the data processing system 1 is suppliedwith a plurality of image data from the digital camera 4, the dataprocessing system 1 can display the supplied plural image data on thedisplay block 32 of the portable computer 3.

[0119] The video game machine 2 can process and combine image dataaccording to the communication and image processing application 50 whilein a variable mode in response to manually entered commands from theinput block 23, and display the processed image data in a real-timefashion on the video monitor 5. A process of variably processing andcombining image data will be described below with reference to FIG. 14.The process shown in FIG. 14 is directed to selective processing of theimage data supplied from the digital camera 4 for resolution conversion,color reduction, and trimming, and other image data processing modes areomitted from the process shown in FIG. 14.

[0120] The video game machine 2 decides whether there is input data fromthe manual controller of the input block 23 or not in step S61 shown inFIG. 14.

[0121] If the video game machine 2 confirms that there is input datafrom the manual controller in step S61, then the CPU 21 stores the inputdata in the main memory 25, and interprets the stored string of inputdata as a command according to a syntax analysis in step S62.

[0122] The video game machine 2 decides in step S63 whether a processingand combining process corresponding to the command interpreted in stepS62 is present in the communication and image processing application 50and can be executed or not. If there is a processing and combiningprocess corresponding to the command, then control goes to step S64. Ifthere is not a processing and combining process corresponding to thecommand, then the video game machine 2 executes the processing from stepS61 again.

[0123] The video game machine 2 decides whether the interpreted commandis a resolution conversion command or not in step S64. If theinterpreted command is a resolution conversion command, then the videogame machine 2 performs a resolution conversion process in step S65 toconvert the resolution of the image data to a resolution that can beused by the portable computer 3. If the interpreted command is not aresolution conversion command, then the video game machine 2 decideswhether the interpreted command is a color reduction command or not instep S66. If the interpreted command is a color reduction command, thenthe video game machine 2 performs a color reduction process in step S67to reduce the number of colors so that the image data can be used by theportable computer 3. If the interpreted command is not a color reductioncommand, then the video game machine 2 decides whether the interpretedcommand is a trimming command or not in step S68. If the interpretedcommand is a trimming command, then the video game machine 2 performs atrimming process in step S69. If the interpreted command is not atrimming command, then control goes to other processes including ascaling-up process, a scaling-down process, etc., after which theprocess of variably processing and combining image data is finished.

[0124] As described above, the data processing system 1 allows imagedata to be processed and combined by the video game machine 2 variablyin response to manually entered commands from the user. The image datathus processed and combined can be displayed in a real-time fashion onthe video monitor 5 connected to the video game machine 2. In the dataprocessing system 1, after it is confirmed that the image data from thedigital camera 4 has been processed and combined by the video gamemachine 2 into image data that satisfies the need of the user, theprocessed and combined image data can be supplied to the portablecomputer 3.

[0125] The data processing system 1 is capable of sending not only imagedata from the digital camera 4 via the video game machine 2 to theportable computer 3, but also image data from the portable computer 3via the video game machine 2 to the digital camera 4. Such a processwill be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

[0126] The CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70 for performing serial communications with the portable computer 3and the digital camera 4, which are recorded in the recording medium(not shown), from the recording medium block 24, in step S71 shown inFIG. 15.

[0127] Then, the CPU 21 stores the communication and image processingapplication 50 and the serial communication drivers 60, 70 in the mainmemory 25 in step S72.

[0128] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 33 of the portable computer 3 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S73.

[0129] Thereafter, the CPU 21 receives image data from the portablecomputer 3 via the established communication link, and stores thereceived image data in the main memory 25 in step S74.

[0130] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from theportable computer 3, the CPU 21 decides whether all the image data hasbeen received from the portable computer 3 or not in step S75. If theCPU 21 confirms that all the image data has been received, then thevideo game machine 2 finishes the process of receiving the image data.If the CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has not been received,then the video game machine 2 executes the processing from step S74again.

[0131] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the portable computer 3 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S81 shown in FIG. 16.

[0132] If the portable computer 3 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS81, then the CPU 31 of the portable computer 3 starts communicationswith the serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 viathe serial communication block 33 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S82.

[0133] Then, the CPU 31 sends image data stored in the nonvolatilememory 34 to the video game machine 2 via the established communicationlink in step S83.

[0134] The processing in steps S82, S83 performed by the portablecomputer 3 corresponds to the processing in steps S73, S74 performed bythe video game machine 2.

[0135] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU31 decides whether all the image data has been sent or not in step S84.If the CPU 31 confirms that all the image data has been sent, then theportable computer 3 finishes the process of sending the image data. Ifthe CPU 31 confirms that all the image data has not been sent, then theportable computer 3 executes the processing from step S83 again.

[0136] The above processing sequences of the video game machine 2 andthe portable computer 3 allow the portable computer 3 to supply imagedata to the video game machine 2 in the data processing system 1.

[0137] A process, performed by the video game machine 2, of processingthe image data received from the portable computer 3 and sending theprocessed image data to the digital camera 4 will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0138] The video game machine 2 processes the image data supplied fromthe portable computer 3 in step S76 shown in FIG. 17. The image data isprocessed by the communication and image processing application 50 forresolution conversion, color interpolation, trimming, scaling-up,scaling-down, axis reversal, color reversal, etc., as described lateron.

[0139] Then, the CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 stores the imagedata processed in step S76 in the main memory 25 in step S77.

[0140] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 42 of the digital camera 4 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S78.

[0141] Then, the CPU 21 sends the processed data to the digital camera 4via the established communication link in step S79.

[0142] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU21 decides whether all the image data has been sent or not in step S80.If the CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 finishes the process of sending the image data. Ifthe CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has not been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S79 again.

[0143] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the digital camera 4 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S91 shown in FIG. 18.

[0144] If the digital camera 4 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS91, then the CPU 41 of the digital camera 4 starts communications withthe serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 via theserial communication block 42 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S92.

[0145] Then, the CPU 41 stores the image data received from the videogame machine 2 in the image data storage block 44 via the establishedcommunication link in step S93.

[0146] The processing in steps S92, S93 performed by the digital camera4 corresponds to the processing in steps S78, S79 performed by the videogame machine 2.

[0147] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from thevideo game machine 2, the CPU 41 decides whether all the image data hasbeen received or not in step S94. If the CPU 41 confirms that all theimage data has been received, then the digital camera 4 finishes theprocess of receiving the image data. If the CPU 41 confirms that all theimage data has not been received, then the digital camera 4 executes theprocessing from step S93 again.

[0148] The above processing sequences allow the video game machine 2 toprocess the image data from the portable computer 3 and supply theprocessed image data to the digital camera 4. Therefore, the dataprocessing system 1 can use the portable computer 3 as an image inputdevice and the digital camera 4 as an image output device with respectto the video game machine 2.

[0149] A process of supplying a plurality of image data from theportable computer 3 to the video game machine 2, combining the imagedata for superposition or simultaneous display on one screen with thevideo game machine 2, and supplying the combined image data to thedigital camera 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19through 22.

[0150] The CPU 21 of the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70 for performing serial communications with the portable computer 3and the digital camera 4, which are recorded in the recording medium(not shown), from the recording medium block 24, in step S101 shown inFIG. 19.

[0151] Then, the CPU 21 stores the communication and image processingapplication 50 and the serial communication drivers 60, 70 in the mainmemory 25 in step S102.

[0152] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 33 of the portable computer 3 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S103. Thereafter, the CPU 21 receives a plurality of image datafrom the portable computer 3 via the established communication link, andstores the received image data in the main memory 25 in step S104.

[0153] To confirm the end of the reception of the plural image data fromthe portable computer 3, the CPU 21 decides whether all the plural imagedata have been received from the portable computer 3 or not in stepS105. If the CPU 21 confirms that all the plural image data have beenreceived, then the video game machine 2 finishes the process ofreceiving the image data, and control goes to step S106 shown in FIG.20. If the CPU 21 confirms that all the plural image data have not beenreceived, then the video game machine 2 executes the processing fromstep S104 again.

[0154] The video game machine 2 combines the plurality of image datasupplied from the portable computer 3 in step S106 shown in FIG. 20. Instep S106, the image data are combined for superposition or simultaneousdisplay on one screen as described above. The image data processingdescribed above may also be carried out in step S106.

[0155] Then, the CPU 21 stores the image data combined in step S106 inthe main memory 25 in step S107.

[0156] Thereafter, the CPU 21 starts communications with the serialcommunication block 22 of the digital camera 4 via the serialcommunication block 22 to establish a communication link therewith instep S108.

[0157] Thereafter, the CPU 21 transmits the combined image data to thedigital camera 4 via the established communication link in step S109.

[0158] To confirm the end of the transmission of the image data, the CPU21 decides whether all the image data has been sent or not in step S110.If the CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 finishes the process of sending the image data. Ifthe CPU 21 confirms that all the image data has not been sent, then thevideo game machine 2 executes the processing from step S109 again.

[0159] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the portable computer 3 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S111 shown in FIG. 21.

[0160] If the portable computer 3 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS111, then the CPU 31 of the portable computer 3 starts communicationswith the serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 viathe serial communication block 33 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S112.

[0161] Then, the CPU 31 sends a plurality of image data stored in thenonvolatile memory 34 to the video game machine 2 via the establishedcommunication link in step S113.

[0162] The processing in steps S112, S113 performed by the portablecomputer 3 corresponds to the processing in steps S103, S104 performedby the video game machine 2.

[0163] To confirm the end of the transmission of the plural image data,the CPU 31 decides whether all the plural image data have been sent tothe video game machine 2 or not in step S114. If the CPU 41 confirmsthat all the plural image data have been sent to the video game machine2, then the portable computer 3 finishes the process of sending theplural image data. If the CPU 31 confirms that all the plural image datahave not been sent to the video game machine 2, then the portablecomputer 3 executes the processing from step S113 again.

[0164] The digital camera 4 decides whether there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 or not instep S121 shown in FIG. 22.

[0165] If the digital camera 4 confirms that there is a serialcommunication connection request from the video game machine 2 in stepS121, then the CPU 41 of the digital camera 4 starts communications withthe serial communication block 22 of the video game machine 2 via theserial communication block 42 to establish a communication linktherewith in step S122.

[0166] Then, the CPU 41 stores the image data received from the videogame machine 2 in the image data storage block 44 via the establishedcommunication link in step S123.

[0167] The processing in steps S122, S123 performed by the digitalcamera 4 corresponds to the processing in steps S108, S109 performed bythe video game machine 2.

[0168] To confirm the end of the reception of the image data from thevideo game machine 2, the CPU 41 decides whether all the image data hasbeen received or not in step S124. If the CPU 41 confirms that all theimage data has been received, then the digital camera 4 finishes theprocess of receiving the image data. If the CPU 41 confirms that all theimage data has not been received, then the digital camera 4 executes theprocessing from step S123 again.

[0169] The above processing sequences in the data processing system 1allow the video game machine 2 to combine the plural image data suppliedfrom the portable computer 3 to the video game machine 2, and supply thecombined image data to the digital camera 4.

[0170] When image data from the portable computer 3 is supplied via thevideo game machine 2 to the digital camera 4, the video game machine 2can process and combine the image data according to the communicationand image processing application 50 while in a variable mode in responseto manually entered commands from the input block 23, and display theprocessed image data in a real-time fashion on the video monitor 5. Aprocess of variably processing and combining image data will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 23. The process shown in FIG. 23is directed to selective processing of the image data supplied from theportable computer 3 for resolution conversion, color interpolation, andtrimming, and other image data processing modes are omitted from theprocess shown in FIG. 23.

[0171] The video game machine 2 decides whether there is input data fromthe manual controller of the input block 23 or not in step S131 shown inFIG. 23.

[0172] If the video game machine 2 confirms that there is input datafrom the manual controller in step S131, then the CPU 21 stores theinput data in the main memory 25, and interprets the stored string ofinput data as a command according to a syntax analysis in step S132.

[0173] The video game machine 2 decides in step S133 whether aprocessing and combining process corresponding to the commandinterpreted in step S132 is present in the communication and imageprocessing application 50 and can be executed or not. If there is aprocessing and combining process corresponding to the command, thencontrol goes to step S134. If there is not a processing and combiningprocess corresponding to the command, then the video game machine 2executes the processing from step S131 again.

[0174] The video game machine 2 decides whether the interpreted commandis a resolution conversion command or not in step S134. If theinterpreted command is a resolution conversion command, then the videogame machine 2 performs a resolution conversion process in step S135 toconvert the resolution of the image data to a resolution that can beused by the digital camera 4. If the interpreted command is not aresolution conversion command, then the video game machine 2 decideswhether the interpreted command is a color interpolation command or notin step S136. If the interpreted command is a color interpolationcommand, then the video game machine 2 performs a color interpolationprocess in step S137. If the interpreted command is not a colorinterpolation command, then the video game machine 2 decides whether theinterpreted command is a trimming command or not in step S138. If theinterpreted command is a trimming command, then the video game machine 2performs a trimming process in step S139. If the interpreted command isnot a trimming command, then control goes to other processes including ascaling-up process, a scaling-down process, etc., after which theprocess of variably processing and combining image data is finished.

[0175] As described above, when image data is sent and received betweenthe portable computer 3 of the data processing system 1 and the digitalcamera 4, the image data can be processed and combined by the video gamemachine 2 variably in response to manually entered commands from theuser. The image data thus processed and combined can be displayed in areal-time fashion on the video monitor 5 connected to the video gamemachine 2. In the data processing system 1, after it is confirmed thatthe image data from the portable computer 3 has been processed andcombined by the video game machine 2 into image data that satisfies theneed of the user, the processed and combined image data can be suppliedto the digital camera 4.

[0176] A process of supplying image data to the video game machine 2from both the portable computer 3 and the digital camera 4, processingthe image data with the video game machine 2, and outputting theprocessed image data to the portable computer 3 will be described below.

[0177] In the data processing system 1, the above process can beperformed by combining the processes shown in FIGS. 10 through 13, 19,and 21.

[0178] The video game machine 2 carries out steps shown in FIG. 10 toreceive a plurality of image data from the digital camera 4.

[0179] Specifically, the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70, which are recorded in the recording medium (not shown), andstores them in the main memory 25. The video game machine 2 establishesa communication link with the digital camera 4, receives a plurality ofimage data from the digital camera 4, and stores the received data inthe main memory 25. After the video game machine 2 confirms that all theplural image data from the digital camera 4 have been received, thevideo game machine 2 carries out steps shown in FIG. 19.

[0180] The video game machine 2 carries out steps shown in FIG. 19 toreceive a plurality of image data from the portable computer 3.

[0181] Specifically, the video game machine 2 reads the communicationand image processing application 50 and the serial communication drivers60, 70, which are recorded in the recording medium (not shown), andstores them in the main memory 25. The video game machine 2 establishesa communication link with the portable computer 3, receives a pluralityof image data from the portable computer 3, and stores the received datain the main memory 25. After the video game machine 2 confirms that allthe plural image data from the portable computer 3 have been received,the video game machine 2 carries out steps shown in FIG. 11.

[0182] The video game machine 2 processes and combines the plural imagedata received from the portable computer 3 and the digital camera 4, andstores the processed and combined image data in the main memory 25. Theimage data are processed and combined in the same manner as describedabove to generate image data that can be used by the portable computer3. The video game machine 2 can process and combine the image data inresponse to manually entered commands from the manual controller, anddisplay the processed and combined image data in a real-time manner onthe video monitor 5 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 23.

[0183] Then, the video game machine 2 establishes a communication linkwith the portable computer 3, and sends the image data to the portablecomputer 3.

[0184] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the portable computer 3 and the digital camera 4 carry outsteps shown in FIGS. 12, 21, and 13.

[0185] Specifically, the digital camera 4 establishes a communicationlink with the video game machine 2, and sends a plurality of image datastored in the image data storage block 44 to the video game machine 2,as shown in FIG. 12.

[0186] Thereafter, the portable computer 3 carries out steps shown inFIG. 21. The portable computer 3 establishes a communication link withthe video game machine 2, and sends a plurality of image data stored inthe nonvolatile memory 34 to the video game machine 2.

[0187] After the portable computer 3 and the digital camera 4 have sentthe plural image data to the video game machine 2, the portable computer3 carries out steps shown in FIG. 13, and receives image data from thevideo game machine 2.

[0188] Specifically, the portable computer 3 establishes a communicationlink with the video game machine 2, and receives image data processedand combined by the video game machine 2, after which the processingsequence is finished.

[0189] As described above, in the data processing system 1, a pluralityof image data can be sent from the portable computer 3 and the digitalcamera 4 to the video game machine 2, the image data can be processedand combined by the video game machine 2, and the processed and combinedimage data can be sent to the portable computer 3.

[0190] In the-data processing system, steps shown in FIG. 13 may bechanged to steps shown in FIG. 18 and carried out, so that the imagedata can be sent to not only the portable computer 3 but also thedigital camera 4.

[0191] A process of sending application software which uses image datasent from the video game machine 2 to the portable computer 3, from thevideo game machine 2 to the portable computer 3 will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0192] The video game machine 2 transfers image data to the portablecomputer 3 in step S141 shown in FIG. 24. Specifically, as describedabove, the video game machine 2 supplies image data, which has been sentfrom the digital camera 4 or both the portable computer 3 and thedigital camera 4, to the portable computer 3.

[0193] Then, the video game machine 2 reads application softwarerecorded in the non-illustrated recording medium from the recordingmedium block 24 in step S142. The application software operates on theportable computer 3, using the image data supplied to the portablecomputer 3.

[0194] The video game machine 2 transfers the application software instep S143. Specifically, the application software is transferred insubstantially the same manner as when the image data is transferred asdescribed above. In this fashion, the video game machine 2 supplies theapplication software to the portable computer 3.

[0195] Then, the video game machine 2 instructs the portable computer 3to activate the transferred application software, after which theprocessing sequence is ended.

[0196] Concurrent with the above process carried out by the video gamemachine 2, the portable computer 3 receives the image data in step S151shown in FIG. 25. Specifically, the portable computer 3 receives theimage data from the video game machine 2.

[0197] Then, the portable computer 3 receives the application softwarefrom the video game machine in step S152. Specifically, the applicationsoftware is received via the serial communication block 33 insubstantially the same manner as when the image data is received asdescribed above. In this fashion, the portable computer 3 receives theapplication software from the video game machine 2.

[0198] Then, the portable computer 3 is instructed by the video gamemachine 2 to activate the application software supplied from the videogame machine 2 in step S153.

[0199] The processing in steps S152, S153 performed by the portablecomputer 3 corresponds to the processing in steps S143, S144 performedby the video game machine 2.

[0200] Having received the activating instruction, the portable computer3 activates the application software in step S154 to display the imagedata received from the video game machine 2 on the display block 32 andperform other data processing.

[0201] In the data processing system 1, as described above, applicationsoftware which can operate on the portable computer 3 can be read fromthe recording medium loaded in the video game machine 2 and supplied tothe portable computer 3. Therefore, the data processing system 1 canprovide the portable computer 3 with a function to read and use imagedata. In the data processing system 1, furthermore, the aboveapplication software, the communication and image processing application50, and the serial communication drivers 60, 70 can be supplied from asingle recording medium.

[0202] In the data processing system 1, as described above, the portablecomputer 3 and the digital camera 4 which are difficult to connectdirectly to each other are simultaneously connected to the video gamemachine 2 for sending and receiving image data between the portablecomputer 3 and the digital camera 4.

[0203] In the data processing system 1, when image data is to be sentand received between devices having different resolutions, i.e., theportable computer 3 and the digital camera 4, the image data can beprocessed for resolution conversion, color reduction, colorinterpolation, and various format conversions, allowing the image datato be sent and received between the portable computer 3 and the digitalcamera 4.

[0204] Furthermore, the processed and combined image data can bedisplayed on a real-time basis on the video monitor 5, using the quickgraphic display function of the video game machine 2. Therefore, thedata processing system 1 allows the user to confirm whether theprocessed and combined image data is acceptable or not, before the imagedata is sent and received. The data processing system 1 thus providesappropriate feedback to the user.

[0205] In the data processing system 1, moreover, a plurality of imagedata from the portable computer 3 and a plurality of image data from thedigital camera 4 can be supplied to the video game machine 2, thesupplied image data can be processed and combined by the video gamemachine 2, and the processed and combined image data can be transferredto the portable computer 3 or the digital camera 4. The data processingsystem 1 is thus compatible with a plurality of image sources, and caneasily edit image data from such plural image sources.

[0206] In the data processing system 1, application software which canoperate on the portable computer 3 is supplied from the video gamemachine 2, and the video game machine 2 instructs the portable computer3 to activate the application software. The data processing system 1 canthus provide the portable computer 3 with a function to read and useexternal image data.

[0207] In the video game machine 2, the communication and imageprocessing application 50, the serial communication drivers 60, 70, andthe application software supplied to the portable computer 3 do not needto be recorded in the recording medium such as a CD-ROM, but may beacquired by communications with an external source.

[0208] An entertainment system, which is a specific example of the dataprocessing system, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 26through 30. In FIGS. 26 through 30, the video game machine 2 and theportable computer 3 of the data processing system 1 are constructed asan entertainment system which comprises a video game apparatus 301 and aportable electronic device 400.

[0209] The video game machine 2 corresponds to the video game apparatus301, and the portable computer 3 corresponds to the portable electronicdevice 400. Specifically, the CPU 21, the serial communication block 22and the input block 23 of the video game machine 2 correspondrespectively to a CPU 351, memory card insertion slots 308A, 308A or aserial I/O interface (SIO) 397, and a manual controller 320 of the videogame apparatus 301 as shown in FIG. 31. The CPU 31, the display block32, and the serial communication block 33 of the portable computer 3correspond respectively to a control means 441, a display means 444, andan apparatus connection connector 442 as shown in FIG. 32.

[0210] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the video game apparatus 301 readsan application program from a recording medium, and executes theapplication program according to instructions from the user, i.e., thegame player. For example, the video game apparatus 301 executes a gameprogram mainly to control the progress of a game, the display of gameimages, and the output of sounds.

[0211] The video game apparatus 301 has a rectangular casing 302 whichhouses a disk loading unit 303 substantially centrally therein forloading an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or the like as a recordingmedium for supplying application programs including video games, thecommunication and image processing application 50, the applicationsoftware used by the portable electronic device 400. The casing 302supports a reset switch 304 for resetting a video game, a power supplyswitch 305, a disk control switch 306 for controlling the loading of theoptical disk, and two slots assemblies 307A, 307B.

[0212] The video game apparatus 301 may be supplied with applicationprograms via a communication link, rather than being supplied from therecording medium.

[0213] The portable electronic device 400 and the manual controller 320can be connected to the slots assemblies 307A, 307B. A memory cardsystem (not shown) may also be connected to the slots assemblies 307A,307B.

[0214] The portable electronic device 400 and the manual controller 320can be connected to the slot assemblies 307A, 307B. Specifically, theportable electronic device 400 can be connected to slots 308A, 308A inthe slot assemblies 307A, 307B, and the manual controller 320 can beconnected to slots 309A, 309A in the slot assemblies 307A, 307B.

[0215] The manual controller 320 has first and second control pads 321,322, a left button 323L, a right button 323R, a start button 324, aselector button 325, analog control pads 331, 332, a mode selectorswitch 333 for selecting control modes for the analog control pads 331,332, and an indicator 334 for indicating a selected control mode. Themanual controller 320 also has a vibration imparting mechanism (notshown) disposed therein for imparting vibrations to the manualcontroller 320 depending on how the video game proceeds. The manualcontroller 320 is electrically connected to the slot 307B in the casing302 by a connector 326.

[0216] If two manual controllers 320 are connected respectively to theslots 307A, 307B, two users or game players can share the entertainmentsystem to play a competition game, for example. The video game apparatus301 may have more or less than two slots 307A, 307B.

[0217] As shown in FIGS. 28 through 30, the portable electronic device400 has a housing 401 which supports a manual control pad 420 forentering various items of information, a display unit 430 such as aliquid crystal display (LCD) unit or the like, and a window 440 forwireless communication such as infrared communication with a wirelesscommunication command unit.

[0218] The housing 401 comprises an upper shell 401 a and a lower shell401 b, and houses a board which supports memory devices, etc. thereon.The housing 401 is shaped so as to be insertable into either one of theslots 307A, 307B in the casing 302.

[0219] The window 440 is mounted on a substantially semicircular end ofthe housing 401. The display unit 430 occupies a substantially half areaof the upper shell 401 a of the housing 401, and is positioned near thewindow 440.

[0220] The manual control pad 420 has a plurality of control buttons421, 422 for entering events and making various selections. The manualcontrol pad 420 occupies the other substantially half area of the uppershell 401 a, and is positioned remotely from the window 440. The manualcontrol pad 420 is disposed on a lid 410 that is angularly movablysupported on the housing 401. The control buttons 421, 422 extendthrough the lid 410 from its upper surface to its lower surface. Thecontrol buttons 421, 422 are supported on the lid 410 for movement intoand out of the upper surface of the lid 410.

[0221] The portable electronic device 400 has a board disposed in thehousing 410 and facing the lid 410 as it is closed over the housing 401.The board supports a plurality of switch pressers held in alignment withthe respective control buttons 421, 422 when the lid 410 is closed overthe housing 401. When one of the control buttons 421, 422 is pressed bythe user, it actuates the corresponding switch presser to press apressure switch such as a diaphragm switch, for example.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 26, the portable electronic device 400 with thelid 410 being open is inserted into the slot 307A in the casing 302 ofthe video game apparatus 301.

[0223]FIGS. 29 and 30 show circuit arrangements of the video gameapparatus 301 and the portable electronic device 400.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 31, the video game apparatus 301 comprises acontrol system 350 including a central processing unit (CPU) 351 and itsperipheral devices, a graphic system 360 including a graphic processingunit (GPU) 362 for plotting image data in a frame buffer 363, a soundsystem 370 including a sound processing unit (SPU) 371 for generatingmusic sounds and sound effects, an optical disk controller 380 forcontrolling an optical disk in which application programs are recorded,a communication controller 390 for controlling signals from the manualcontroller 320 which enter instructions from the user, and data suppliedto and from the memory card 500 which stores game settings and theportable electronic device 400, a bus 395 to which the control system350, the graphic system 360, the sound system 370, the optical diskcontroller 380, and the communication controller 390 are connected, anda parallel I/O interface (PIO) 396 and a serial I/O interface (SIO) 397which interface another apparatus.

[0225] The control system 350 comprises a CPU 351, a peripheral devicecontroller 352 for controlling interrupts and direct memory access (DMA)data transfer, a main memory 353 comprising a random-access memory(RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM) 354 for storing various programssuch as an operating system or the like for managing the main memory353, the graphic system 360, and the sound system 370.

[0226] The CPU 351 controls the video game apparatus 301 in its entiretyby executing the operating system stored in the ROM 354.

[0227] When the video game apparatus 301 is turned on, the CPU 351executes the operating system stored in the ROM 354 to start controllingthe graphic system 360, the sound system 370, etc. For example, when theoperating system is executed, the CPU 351 initializes the video gameapparatus 301 in its entirety for confirming its operation, andthereafter controls the optical disc controller 380 to execute anapplication program recorded in the optical disk. As the applicationprogram is executed, the CPU 351 controls the graphic system 360, thesound system 370, etc. depending on instructions entered from the userfor thereby controlling the display of images and the generation ofmusic sounds and sound effects.

[0228] The CPU 351 corresponds to the CPU 21 of the video game machine2, and restores data received by and sent from the portable electronicdevice 400.

[0229] The graphic system 360 functions as the graphic processor 26 ofthe video game machine 2. The graphic system 360 comprises a geometrytransfer engine (GTE) 361 for performing coordinate transformations andother processing, a graphic processing unit (GPU) 362 for generatingimage data according to commands from the CPU 351, a frame buffer 363for storing image data generated by the GPU 362, and an image decoder364 for decoding image data compressed and encoded by an orthogonaltransform such as a discrete cosine transform.

[0230] The GTE 361 has a parallel arithmetic mechanism for performing aplurality of arithmetic operations parallel to each other, and canperform coordinate transformations, light source calculations, matrixes,or vectors at a high speed in response to a request from the CPU 351.Specifically, the GTE 361 can calculate the coordinates of a maximum of1.5 million polygons per second for a flat shading process to plottingone triangular polygon with one color, for example. With the GTE 361,the video game apparatus 301 is able to reduce the burden on the CPU 351and perform high-speed coordinate calculations.

[0231] According to an image generating command from the CPU 351, theGPU 362 generates and stores a polygon or the like in the frame buffer363. The GPU 362 is capable of generating a maximum of 360 thousandpolygons per second.

[0232] The frame buffer 363 comprises a dual-port RAM, and is capable ofsimultaneously storing image data generated by the GPU 362 or image datatransferred from the main memory 353, and reading image data fordisplay. The frame buffer 363 has a storage capacity of 1 Mbytes, forexample, and is handled as a 16-bit matrix made up of a horizontal rowof 1024 pixels and a vertical column of 512 pixels.

[0233] The frame buffer 363 has a display area for storing image data tobe outputted as video output data, a CLUT (color look-up table) area forstoring a color look-up table which will be referred to by the GPU 362when it generates a polygon or the like, and a texture area for storingtexture data to be subjected to coordinate transformations when apolygon is generated and mapped onto a polygon plotted by the GPU 362.The CLUT area and the texture area are dynamically varied as the displayarea is varied.

[0234] The image decoder 364 is controlled by the CPU 351 to decodeimage data of a still or moving image stored in the main memory 353, andstore the decoded image into the main memory 353. Image data reproducedby the image decoder 364 is transferred to the frame buffer 363 by theGPU 362, and can be used as a background for an image plotted by the GPU362.

[0235] The sound system 370 comprises an SPU 371 for generating musicsounds, sound effects, etc. based on commands from the CPU 351, a soundbuffer 372 for storing waveform data from the SPU 371, and a speaker 373for outputting music sounds, sound effects, etc. generated by the SPU371.

[0236] The SPU 371 has an ADPCM (adaptive differential PCM) function forreproducing 16-bit sound data which has been encoded as 4-bitdifferential sound data by ADPCM, a reproducing function for reproducingthe waveform data stored in the sound buffer 372 to generate soundeffects, etc., and a modulating function for modulating and reproducingthe waveform data stored in the sound buffer 372.

[0237] The sound system 370 can be used as a sampling sound source whichgenerates music sounds, sound effects, etc. based on the waveform datastored in the sound buffer 372 according to commands from the CPU 351.

[0238] The optical disk controller 380 comprises an optical disk drive381 for reproducing application programs and data recorded on an opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM or the like, a decoder 382 for decoding programsand data that are recorded with an error correcting code added thereto,and a buffer 383 for temporarily storing data read from the optical diskdrive 381 so as to allow the data from the optical disk to be read at ahigh speed. An auxiliary CPU 384 is connected to the decoder 382.

[0239] Sound data recorded on the optical disk which is read by theoptical disk drive 381 includes PCM data converted from analog soundsignals, in addition to the ADPCM data. The ADPCM data, which isrecorded as 4-bit differential data of 16-bit digital data, is decodedby the decoder 382, supplied to the SPU 371, converted thereby intoanalog data, and applied to drive the speaker 373. The PCM data, whichis recorded as 16-bit digital data, is decoded by the decoder 382 andthen applied to drive the speaker 373.

[0240] The communication controller 390 comprises a communicationcontrol mechanism 391 for controlling communication with the CPU 351 viathe bus 395, a controller connector 309 comprising slots 309A, 309Bshown in FIG. 26 to which the manual controller 320 for enteringinstructions from the user is connected, and a pair of memory cardinsertion units or slots 308A, 308B (see also FIG. 26) for receiving thememory card 500 as an auxiliary memory device for storing game settings,etc. and the portable electronic device 400, the memory card insertionunits 308A, 308B being controlled by the communication control mechanism391.

[0241] The video game apparatus 301 of the above structure has the samefunction as the video game machine 2.

[0242] Specifically, the video game apparatus 301 sends applicationsoftware recorded in the recording medium and used by the portableelectronic device 400 to the portable electronic device 400 via thecommunication control mechanism 391. The video game apparatus 301receives image data from the digital camera 4 that is connected via theserial I/O interface (SIO) 397, receives image data sent from theportable electronic device 400 via the communication control mechanism391, and stores the received image data in the main memory 353. Thevideo game apparatus 301 processes and combines the received data, andsends the processed and combined data back to the portable electronicdevice 400 or the digital camera 4.

[0243] As shown in FIG. 32, the portable electronic device 400 comprisesa control means 441, an apparatus connection connector 442, an inputmeans 443, a display means 444, a clock function unit 445, a nonvolatilememory 446, a speaker 447, a wireless communication means 448 and aradio reception means 449 as a data transmitting/receiving means, abattery 450, and a power supply terminal 451 and a diode 452 as a powersupply means.

[0244] The control means 441 comprises a microcomputer, for example. Thecontrol means 441 functions as the CPU 31 of the portable computer 3.The control means 441 has a program memory 441 a disposed therein as aprogram storage means.

[0245] The apparatus connection connector 442 serves as a communicationmeans for connecting to a slot of another information-handling apparatusor the like. The apparatus connection connector 442 functions as theserial communication block 33 of the portable computer 3.

[0246] The input means 443 serves as the input block 37 of the portablecomputer 3. The input means 443 comprises control buttons forcontrolling a program stored in the program memory 441 a.

[0247] The display means 444 serves as the display block 32 of theportable computer 3. The display means 444 comprises a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) unit or the like for displaying various items ofinformation.

[0248] The clock function unit 445 is arranged to display time on thedisplay means 444, for example.

[0249] The nonvolatile memory 446 serves to store various data. Forexample, the nonvolatile memory 446 comprises a semiconductor memorysuch as a flash memory which is capable of retaining stored data evenwhen the portable electronic device 400 is turned off.

[0250] Since the portable electronic device 400 has the battery 450, thenonvolatile memory 446 may comprise a static random-access memory (SRAM)capable of storing and reading data at a high speed.

[0251] The nonvolatile memory 446 corresponds to the nonvolatile memory34 of the portable computer 3, and stores application software suppliedfrom the recording medium loaded in the video game apparatus 301 andused by the portable electronic device 400, image data supplied from thevideo game apparatus 301, and image data to be sent to the video gameapparatus 301.

[0252] The portable electronic device 400 may have a memory (not shown)corresponding to the working memory 35 of the portable computer 3, forstoring the above application software, image data, etc.

[0253] The battery 450 also allows the portable electronic device 400 tobe operable independently even when the portable electronic device 400is removed from the slots 307A, 307B in the casing 302 of the video gameapparatus 301.

[0254] The battery 450 comprises a chargeable secondary battery. Whenthe portable electronic device 400 is inserted in either one of theslots 307A, 307B in the casing 302 of the video game apparatus 301, thebattery 450 is supplied with electric energy from the video gameapparatus 301. Specifically, the battery 450 has a terminal connected tothe power supply terminal 451 via a reverse-current prevention diode452. When the portable electronic device 400 is connected to the casing302, electric energy is supplied from the power supply terminal 451 viathe reverse-current prevention diode 452 to the battery 450.

[0255] The wireless communication means 448 is arranged to have thewireless communication block 36 of the portable computer 3, i.e., toperform data communications with an external device through an infraredradiation or the like.

[0256] The wireless communication means 448 is also arranged to receivevarious data sent from another memory card or the like.

[0257] The radio reception means 449 is arranged to receive various datatransmitted by a radio broadcast, for example.

[0258] The speaker 447 is constructed as a sound generating means forgenerating sounds according to a program.

[0259] The above components or means of the portable electronic device400 are connected to the control means 441, and are operated under thecontrol of the control means 441.

[0260]FIG. 33 shows control items of the control means 441. As shown inFIG. 33, the control means 441 has an apparatus connection interface forconnection to an information-handling apparatus, a memory interface foroutputting data to and inputting data from a memory, a displayinterface, a control input interface, a sound interface, wirelesscommunication interface, a clock management interface, and a programdownload interface.

[0261] The portable electronic device 400 has, in addition to thefunctions, described above, of the portable computer 3, a function tooperate as a portable game apparatus when it runs a game applicationbecause of being equipped with the input means 443 such as controlbuttons for controlling a program to be executed and the display means444 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit or the like.

[0262] Since the portable electronic device 400 has a function to storean application program and a program supplied from the video gameapparatus 301 in the program memory 441 a in the microcomputer 441,application programs and various driver software that operate on theportable electronic device 400 can easily be changed.

[0263] The portable electronic device 400 of the above structure havethe same function as the portable computer 3.

[0264] Specifically, the portable electronic device 400 storesapplication software supplied from the video game apparatus 301 in thenonvolatile memory 446. The portable electronic device 400 also receivesimage data sent from the video game apparatus 301 via the apparatusconnection connector 442, and stores the received image data in thenonvolatile memory 446. The image data stored in the nonvolatile memory446 is sent to the video game apparatus 301 via the apparatus connectionconnector 442.

[0265] The entertainment system as a specific example of the video gamemachine 2 and the portable computer 3 according to the present inventionhas been described above.

[0266] As described above, the data processing system 1 which comprisesthe video game machine 2 and the portable computer 3 allows data to besent and received between the portable computer 3 and the digital camera4 via the video game machine 2, and can function as the entertainmentsystem.

[0267] Inasmuch as the video game apparatus 301 has a very high imagedata processing capability, the data processing system 1 can edit imagedata at a high speed, and can process data in response to commandsinputted from the user based on the real-time processing capability ofthe video game apparatus 301.

[0268] As described above, a data processing system according to thepresent invention has a master unit for processing data and a slave unitremovably connected to the master unit, the master unit having a firstconnecting means for connecting to an external imaging device, a secondconnecting means for connecting to the slave unit, and a control meansfor being supplied with multicolor, high-resolution image data from theimaging device via the first connecting means and outputtingfewer-color, low-resolution image data based on the supplied image datafrom the master unit to the slave unit via the second connecting means.

[0269] The above data processing system allows the imaging device andthe slave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other,to be simultaneously connected with the master unit for supplying themulticolor, high-resolution image data from the imaging device to themaster unit and supplying the fewer-color, low-resolution image databased on the supplied image data from the master unit to the slave unit.

[0270] A data processing system according to the present invention has amaster unit for processing data and a slave unit removably connected tothe master unit, the master unit having a first connecting means forconnecting to an external imaging device, a second connecting means forconnecting to the slave unit, and a control means for being suppliedwith slave-unit image data from the slave unit via the second connectingmeans and outputting processed image data based on the slave-unit imagedata to the imaging device via the first connecting means.

[0271] The above data processing system allows the imaging device andthe slave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other,to be simultaneously connected with the master unit for supplying theslave-unit image data from the slave unit to the master unit andsupplying the processed image data based on the slave-unit image datafrom the master unit to the imaging device.

[0272] In the data processing system, the master unit has a data readingmeans for reading program data from a removably loaded recording medium,and the slave unit has an executing means for executing the programdata. The master unit reads a slave-unit application program usingprocessed image data from the recording medium with the data readingmeans and supplies the slave-unit application program to the slave unitvia the second connecting means, and the slave unit executes theslave-unit application program with the executing means, using theprocessed image data supplied from the master unit.

[0273] Therefore, the data processing system allows the slave-unitapplication program for use by the slave unit to be supplied from themaster unit and executed by the slave unit, and provides the slave unitwith a function to read and use external image data.

[0274] A method of processing data with a master unit for processingdata and a slave unit removably connected to the master unit, accordingto the present invention comprises the steps of supplying multicolor,high-resolution image data from an external imaging device to the masterunit, and outputting fewer-color, low-resolution image data based on thesupplied image data from the master unit to the slave unit.

[0275] The above method of processing data allows the imaging device andthe slave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other,to be simultaneously connected with the master unit for supplying themulticolor, high-resolution image data from the imaging device to themaster unit and supplying the fewer-color, low-resolution image databased on the supplied image data from the master unit to the slave unit.

[0276] A method of processing data with a master unit for processingdata and a slave unit removably connected to the master unit, accordingto the present invention comprises the steps of supplying the masterunit with slave-unit image data from the slave unit, and outputtingprocessed image data based on the slave-unit image data from the masterunit to an external imaging device.

[0277] The above method of processing data allows the imaging device andthe slave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other,to be simultaneously connected with the master unit for supplyingslave-unit image data from the slave unit to the master unit andsupplying the processed image data based on the slave-unit image datafrom the master unit to the imaging device.

[0278] A method of processing data according to the present inventioncomprises the steps of reading a slave-unit application program usingprocessed image data from a removably loaded recording medium andsupplying the slave-unit application program from a master unit to aslave unit, and executing the slave-unit application program with theslave unit using the processed image data supplied from the master unit.

[0279] In the above method of processing data, the slave-unitapplication program which is used by the slave unit is supplied from themaster unit, and executed by the slave unit. The slave unit is providedwith a function to read and use external image data.

[0280] An entertainment system according to the present invention has afirst connecting means for connecting to an external imaging device,with a slave unit being removably connected to the first connectingmeans, a second connecting means for connecting to the slave unit, and acontrol means for being supplied with multicolor, high-resolution imagedata from the imaging device via the first connecting means andoutputting fewer-color, low-resolution image data based on the suppliedimage data to the slave unit via the second connecting means.

[0281] The above entertainment system allows the imaging device and theslave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other, to besimultaneously connected with the master unit for being supplied withthe multicolor, high-resolution image data from the imaging device andoutputting the fewer-color, low-resolution image data based on thesupplied image data to the slave unit.

[0282] An entertainment system according to the present invention has afirst connecting means for connecting to an external imaging device,with a slave unit being removably connected to the first connectingmeans, a second connecting means for connecting to the slave unit, and acontrol means for being supplied with slave-unit image data from theslave unit via the second connecting means and outputting processedimage data based on the slave-unit image data to the imaging device viathe first connecting means.

[0283] The above entertainment system allows the imaging device and theslave unit, which are difficult to connect directly to each other, to besimultaneously connected with the master unit for being supplied withthe slave-unit image data from the slave unit and outputting theprocessed image data based on the slave-unit image data to the imagingdevice.

[0284] The entertainment system also has a data reading means forreading program data from a removably loaded recording medium. Aslave-unit application program using processed image data is read fromthe recording medium by the data reading means, and supplied to theslave unit via the second connecting means.

[0285] The entertainment system allows the slave-unit applicationprogram used by the slave unit to be supplied to the slave unit.

[0286] Although certain preferred embodiments of the present inventionhave been shown and described in detail, it should be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data processing system comprising: a masterunit for processing data; and a slave unit removably connected to saidmaster unit; said master unit comprising: first connecting means forconnecting to an external imaging device; second connecting means forconnecting to said slave unit; and control means for being supplied withmulticolor, high-resolution captured image data from said imaging devicevia said first connecting means and outputting fewer-color,low-resolution processed image data based on the captured image data tosaid slave unit via said second connecting means.
 2. A data processingsystem according to claim 1, wherein said master unit comprises:processing means for processing the captured image data supplied fromsaid imaging device via said first connecting means, and outputting theprocessed captured image data to said slave unit via said secondconnecting means.
 3. A data processing system according to claim 1,wherein said master unit comprises: combining means for combining aplurality of captured image data supplied from said imaging device viasaid first connecting means, and outputting the combined image data tosaid slave unit via said second connecting means.
 4. A data processingsystem according to claim 2, wherein said master unit comprises: commandinput means for controlling at least said processing means to processsaid captured image data and displaying the processed captured imagedata on an external display unit.
 5. A data processing system accordingto claim 3, wherein said master unit comprises: command input means forcontrolling at least said combining means to combine said plurality ofcaptured image data and displaying the combined image data on anexternal display unit.
 6. A data processing system according to claim 1,wherein said slave unit comprises display means for displaying theprocessed image data based on the captured image data supplied from saidimaging unit to said master unit via said first connecting means, onsaid display means.
 7. A data processing system according to claim 1,wherein said master unit comprises data reading means for readingprogram data from a removably loaded recording medium, and said slaveunit comprises executing means for executing the program data, thearrangement being such that said master unit reads a slave-unitapplication program using the processed image data from the recordingmedium with said data reading means and supplies the slave-unitapplication program to said slave unit via said second connecting means,and said slave unit executes the slave-unit application program withsaid executing means, using the processed image data supplied from saidmaster unit.
 8. A data processing system according to claim 7, whereinsaid data reading means comprises means for reading said slave-unitapplication program and an application program executed by said masterunit with said control means, from the same recording medium.
 9. A dataprocessing system according to claim 1, wherein said master unitcomprises combining means for combining a plurality of image dataincluding slave-unit image data supplied from said slave unit andcaptured image data supplied from said imaging device, and outputtingthe combined image data to said slave unit or said imaging device.
 10. Adata processing system comprising: a master unit for processing data;and a slave unit removably connected to said master unit; said masterunit comprising: first connecting means for connecting to an externalimaging device; second connecting means for connecting to said slaveunit; and control means for being supplied with slave-unit image datafrom said slave unit via said second connecting means and outputtingprocessed image data based on the supplied image data to said imagingdevice via said first connecting means.
 11. A data processing systemaccording to claim 10, wherein said master unit comprises: processingmeans for processing the slave-unit image data supplied from said slaveunit via said second connecting means, and outputting the processedimage data to said imaging device via said first connecting means.
 12. Adata processing system according to claim 10, wherein said master unitcomprises: combining means for combining a plurality of slave-unit imagedata supplied from said slave unit via said second connecting means, andoutputting the combined image data to said imaging device via said firstconnecting means.
 13. A data processing system according to claim 11,wherein said master unit comprises: command input means for controllingat least said processing means to process said slave-unit image data anddisplaying the processed image data on an external display unit.
 14. Adata processing system according to claim 12, wherein said master unitcomprises: command input means for controlling at least said combiningmeans to combine said plurality of slave-unit image data and displayingthe combined image data on an external display unit.
 15. A method ofprocessing data with a master unit for processing data and a slave unitremovably connected to the master unit, comprising the steps of:supplying multicolor, high-resolution captured image data from anexternal imaging device to the master unit; and outputting fewer-color,low-resolution processed image data based on the supplied image datafrom the master unit to the slave unit.
 16. A method according to claim15, further comprising the steps of: processing the captured image datawith said master unit; and outputting the processed image data from saidmaster unit to said slave unit.
 17. A method according to claim 15,further comprising the steps of: supplying said master unit with aplurality of captured image data from said imaging device; combining theplurality of captured image data with said master unit; and outputtingthe combined image data from said master unit to said slave unit.
 18. Amethod according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:processing the captured image data with said master unit in response toan input command; and displaying the processed image data.
 19. A methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising the steps of: combining theplurality of captured image data with said master unit in response to aninput command; and displaying the combined image data.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 15, further comprising the step of: displaying, withsaid slave unit, the processed image data based on the captured imagedata supplied to said master unit.
 21. A method according to claim 15,further comprising the steps of: reading a slave-unit applicationprogram using the processed image data from a removably loaded recordingmedium with said master unit and supplying the read slave-unitapplication program from said master unit to said slave unit; andexecuting, with said slave unit, said slave-unit application program,using the processed image data supplied from said master unit.
 22. Amethod according to claim 21, further comprising the step of: readingsaid slave-unit application program and an application program executedby said master unit from the same recording medium.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: supplying saidmaster unit with slave-unit image data from said slave unit and capturedimage data from said imaging device; combining said slave-unit imagedata and said captured image data with each other with said master unit;and outputting the combined image data from said master unit to saidslave unit or said imaging device.
 24. A method of processing data witha master unit for processing data and a slave unit removably connectedto the master unit, comprising the steps of: supplying the master unitwith slave-unit image data from the slave unit; and outputting processedimage data based on the slave-unit image data from the master unit to anexternal imaging device.
 25. A method according to claim 24, furthercomprising the steps of: processing the slave-unit image data with saidmaster unit; and outputting the processed image data from said masterunit to said imaging device.
 26. A method according to claim 24, furthercomprising the steps of: supplying said master unit with a plurality ofslave-unit image data from said slave unit; combining the plurality ofslave-unit image data with said master unit; and outputting the combinedimage data from said master unit to said imaging device.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 25, further comprising the steps of: processing theslave-unit image data with said master unit in response to an inputcommand; and displaying the processed image data.
 28. A method accordingto claim 26, further comprising the steps of: combining the plurality ofslave-unit image data with said master unit in response to an inputcommand; and displaying the combined image data.
 29. An entertainmentsystem removably connectable to a slave unit, for processing data,comprising: first connecting means for connecting to an external imagingdevice; second connecting means for connecting to said slave unit; andcontrol means for being supplied with multicolor, high-resolutioncaptured image data from said imaging device via said first connectingmeans and outputting fewer-color, low-resolution processed image databased on the captured image data to said slave unit via said secondconnecting means.
 30. An entertainment system according to claim 29,further comprising: processing means for processing the captured imagedata supplied from said imaging device via said first connecting means,and outputting the processed captured image data to said slave unit viasaid second connecting means.
 31. An entertainment system according toclaim 29, further comprising: combining means for combining a pluralityof captured image data supplied from said imaging device via said firstconnecting means, and outputting the combined image data to said slaveunit via said second connecting means.
 32. An entertainment systemaccording to claim 30, further comprising: command input means forcontrolling at least said processing means to process said capturedimage data and displaying the processed captured image data on anexternal display unit.
 33. An entertainment system according to claim31, further comprising: command input means for controlling at leastsaid combining means to combine said plurality of captured image dataand displaying the combined image data on an external display unit. 34.An entertainment system according to claim 29, further comprising: datareading means for reading program data from a removably loaded recordingmedium; the arrangement being such that a slave-unit application programusing the processed image data is read from said recording medium bysaid data reading means, and supplied to said slave unit via said secondconnecting means.
 35. An entertainment system according to claim 34,wherein said data reading means comprises means for reading saidslave-unit application program and an application program executed bysaid control means, from the same recording medium.
 36. An entertainmentsystem according to claim 29, further comprising: combining means forcombining a plurality of image data including slave-unit image datasupplied from said slave unit and captured image data supplied from saidimaging device, and outputting the combined image data to said slaveunit or said imaging device.
 37. An entertainment system removablyconnectable to a slave unit, for processing data, comprising: firstconnecting means for connecting to an external imaging device; secondconnecting means for connecting to said slave unit; and control meansfor being supplied with slave-unit image data from said slave unit viasaid second connecting means, and outputting processed image data basedon the slave-unit image data to said imaging device via said firstconnecting means.
 38. An entertainment system according to claim 37,further comprising: processing means for processing the slave-unit imagedata supplied from said slave unit via said second connecting means, andoutputting the processed slave-unit image data to said imaging devicevia said first connecting means.
 39. An entertainment system accordingto claim 37, further comprising: combining means for combining aplurality of slave-unit image data supplied from said slave unit viasaid second connecting means, and outputting the combined image data tosaid imaging device via said first connecting means.
 40. Anentertainment system according to claim 38, further comprising: commandinput means for controlling at least said processing means to processsaid slave-unit image data and displaying the processed image data on anexternal display unit.
 41. An entertainment system according to claim39, further comprising: command input means for controlling at leastsaid combining means to combine said plurality of slave-unit image dataand displaying the combined image data on an external display unit.